[GTO]

High Points:

- The Yeti AWD has ended up as a market dud. Potential customers haven't taken too well to its small size + premium pricing.

- Skoda launches the (cheaper) 4x2 variant today @ 13.20 lakhs (ex-Maharashtra) for the Active variant, and 14.05 lakhs for the Ambition variant. The 4x2 variant is front-wheel-driven only.

- The 4x2 Yeti has a lower-spec (110 BHP / 81kW @ 4200 RPM) engine under the hood. This is substantially lesser than the 140 BHP power rating of the AWD variant. Further, the 4x2 only gets a 5 speed gearbox (the AWD gets a 6-speed).

- Available in 2 trim levels : Active & Ambition. ESP & Hill Hold Control will be offered with the 4x2 variant too.

- It is important to note that the Yeti AWD was (and most probably, still is) being sold at whopping discounts by dealers. Discounts of about a lakh aren't too hard to get, while some customers have reported even larger discounts. That, unofficially, takes the Yeti AWD at the same (or lesser) price than the 4x2. Honestly, even without discounts, the AWD variant is well worth the difference (if you are considering the Yeti). Reason = The higher-spec engine alone.

- Link to Team-BHP's Skoda Yeti Review

[shankar.balan]

this step will go a long way to popularize this excellent vehicle. I know that many people reject it on account of its size and lack of "road presence" but all the same, it is one of the best all rounders we have available as of now in India.

I will be taking delivery of my 4WD elegance in another week or ten days all going well and personally am very happy that with this new introduction of the 2WD lots more people are going to be tempted to buy it.

this in turn will result in easier parts availability and possibly better after sales care.

one thing - the 2WD FWD has the same 2 litre engine but de tuned to 110PS of power. It also does not come with many of the bells and whistles which are there in the 4WD Ambiente and Elegance - including the Haldex clutch system.

this de-speccing has undoubtedly made the vehicle far more accessible.
good show Skoda!
cheers

[bhatiagagan]

Originally Posted by GTO

Discounts of about a lakh aren't too hard to get, while some customers have reported even larger discounts. That, unofficially, takes the Yeti AWD at the same (or lesser) price than the 4x2.

Could you confirm this with some numbers? Also are these discounts available on all cities?

[.anshuman]

^ Year end discounts for the 2010 manufactured Yeti will most probably be available till stocks clear out.

[ampere]

Some notes:

- The basic pricing is just higher than the max XUV pricing.
- Though there is no comparison between the 2 vehicles, but folks buying the W6 XUV may think twice if they were looking for a smaller SUV to start with.
- From that point of view, if the starting pricing was a lakh lower, it would have really created flutters. Hitting right at the core!

- Looks like Skoda wanted to keep the price a bit higher than highest end XUV.
Anticipating a price hike for XUV?

[GTO]

Thanks to Moderator Anshuman for pointing this out! Opening post edited:

Originally Posted by GTO

The 4x2 Yeti has a lower-spec 108 BHP engine under the hood. This is substantially lesser than the 140 BHP power rating of the AWD variant. Further, the 4x2 only gets a 5 speed gearbox (the AWD gets a 6-speed).

[SDP]

Originally Posted by ampere

Some notes:

- The basic pricing is just higher than the max XUV pricing.
- Though there is no comparison between the 2 vehicles, but folks buying the W6 XUV may think twice if they were looking for a smaller SUV to start with.
- From that point of view, if the starting pricing was a lakh lower, it would have really created flutters. Hitting right at the core!

Makes perfect sense.

Originally Posted by ampere

Some notes:
...
- Looks like Skoda wanted to keep the price a bit higher than highest end XUV.
Anticipating a price hike for XUV?

With a lower power engine for the 4x2 Yeti, the XUV is going to look even more attractive. Not a smart move, Skoda.

[sukrit7]

The Ambition is still going to be 15+ on road and it makes little sense at that price point. I doubt the 4*2 model is going to increase sales. Don't you guys feel the same way?

Are we going to get a review of the 108bhp version?

[himavanth_m]

The 4x2 is atleast a couple of lakhs overpriced of not more. Expect the same heafty discounts on the 4x2 as well?
And what is the reason for detuning the engine to 110 bhp? They should have brought in both 110 and 140 bhp engines into the yeti 4x2 and pricing should have been 11lacs ex showroom for 4x2 base variant with 110 bhp.
Even with this, I still doubt yeti will do well in India with the price tag it is carrying.

[shankar.balan]

the 4x2 will tend to wean away some buyers of the Laura, Cruze and other such. It will also influence people upgrading from current vernas, fiestas and hond citys. not least because it is a diesel, but also on account of the high gc, suv-ish looks and general utility value compared to a sedan.
yes the 4x4 is being sold at good discounts - a lac and perhaps more depending on the negotiation power and so on.
it is also likely that the 4x2 will also be sold at a discount in a similar manner, to increase consumer adoption. essentially it is a very good vehicle in terms of quality, fit and finish and luxe cues - no doubt about that - some people will appreciate it for these things.

[patil]

Definetely not a wise move from Skoda. First of all the Yeti was overpriced by any standards or comparision. Now that we have XUV to compare it feels even more overpriced, underequipped and less imposing. So Skoda has to seriously rework their strategy with the pricing will their entire lineup and more particularly with the Yeti if they want to clock serious numbers.

The only difference between the awd and 2wd is the absence of awd system and detuned engine or are there some more differences such as less number airbags, steel wheels instead of alloys or so. Please throw some light on these points as well.

[avira_tk]

I think the Yeti will always have its own niche in the market, this 2WD should have been introduced first and then Skoda should have launched a DSG. The Yeti scores over other SUVs as far as interiors are concerned, the quality is top notch, and for a lot of people the XUV will always be associated with Mahindra's cruder products. I guess people who need a top quality vehicle thats easy to manage in town have a good choice now, the problem in India is that, at this price range, the owners can afford drivers and that narrows down the customer base. After all why bother compromising on space when you can get a driver to manage the daily B2B grind while you relax in the backseat.

[SkyWalker]

Poor pricing again by SKoda. At 11L this would have made sense, but with this pricing why would anyone bother? And even if anyone would like to buy Yeti, it makes a lot more sense to buy the 4x4 at 1L+ discounts than going for this.

[Sheel]

Would we be seeing a driving impression by Team? Please accommodate a short one at least.
Thanks

[roy_libran]

Still quite over-priced. This is an excellent vehicle, being killed due to it's pricing.

Skoda also needs to realize that the Horror stories regarding their A.S.S and Spare Parts Costs, are not going down well with customers. One way a customer would look at this is that if they are getting a good deal upfront, they might be more amenable to taking a few hits in the longer run. But, after paying a huge premium up-front, people would not want to be taken for a ride later.

And seriously, how much of a USP does the Yeti have left with, when competing with the XUV. IMHO there is no way they can ask for more bucks than a XUV, now that it is here.